MERIT Program

Discover the professional learning community of your dreams

CA State Certificate of Achievement as an Educational Technology Specialist PLUS 12 Quarter Units from Foothill College

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MERIT: Where Educators Become Leaders in Excellence

MERIT: Making Education Relevant through Innovative Teaching

  • Empower Your Growth with Grant-Funded Professional Learning: Our grant-funded program is designed with your budget in mind, supporting your dedication to education.
  • Experience the Power of Cohort-Based Learning: Learn with a close-knit group of educators, each dedicated to making a difference.
  • Bring Immediate Value to Your Role: Our job-embedded approach allows you to directly apply the materials and projects developed during the program to enhance your classroom and contribute to your learners’ success.
  • Join a Community That Celebrates Your Passion: Join a thriving community where support, mentorship, and a shared vision unite you with a family of like-minded individuals.

Learning Outcomes

  • Earn a California State Certificate of Achievement as an Educational Technology Specialist and 12 quarter units from Foothill College
  • Foster Lifelong Learning and Curiosity: The program encourages educators to instill a love for learning and curiosity in their students, preparing them for lifelong success.
  • Enhance Leadership and Advocacy Skills: Educators will strengthen their leadership and advocacy skills, empowering them to lead educational change within their schools and communities.
  • Incorporate Identity and belonging through multiple lenses, including but not limited to the educator, the student, the school leader, and the human being.
  • Evaluate and Reflect on Teaching Practice: Participants will learn to effectively evaluate and reflect on their teaching practices, leveraging feedback and insights to improve their educational approach continuously.
  • Build or expand upon a professional learning network.
  • Discuss and learn to integrate DEI strategies to help build culturally sustaining classrooms, understand digital equity, and increase accessibility.
  • Gain a better understanding of student-centered learning that will empower student choice and voice.
  • Explore digital citizenship and media literacy to help students and other educators better understand how to access information.
  • Leverage existing and new technology platforms such as artificial intelligence to bring creativity and innovation into their schools and classrooms.

Skills You Will Learn:

  • AI in the classroom (for you and your students)
  • Building Culturally Sustaining Classrooms
  • Identity & Belonging
  • Building Your Personal PLN
  • Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy
  • Digital Equity & Accessibility
  • Innovation & Creativity Methodologies
  • Craft a Technology Use Plan
  • Best Practices for Implementing Technology

Conceptual Course Syllabus

Week 1 – June 10-14, 2024 – Themes: 

  • Identifying & Finding Our Why
  • The Shift to Student Lead Group Projects
  • MERIT Book
  • Equity
  • Building Your Intersectionality
  • Building Your PLN/PLC
  • ISTE Exploration
  • Digital Citizenship – Media Balance & Literacy
  • Future Ready/AI
  • Equity Mindset/Culturally Responsive Teaching/Bias
  • Accessibility Tools
  • Student Voice & Podcasting
  • Screencasting & Video Making
  • Resource Review
  • Equity Mindset
  • Cohort Connections & Reflections
  • Project Work Time

Week 2 -June 17-21, 2024 – Themes:

  • Connect & Learning Preview
  • Digital Portfolio
  • Google & LMS Resources
  • Presentations & Content Creation
  • Technology Platform Resources (i.e. Adobe/Canva)
  • Digital Design
  • TPACK Presentation Practice
  • Instructional Videos
  • Unconferences
  • Fall Coursework Overivew
  • Cohort Connections & Reflections
  • Project Work Time

Follow-Up Day Themes (see all dates in left sidebar):

  • Mentoring & Followup
  • Innovative Leadership
  • AI Braimstorming & Prompt Writing
  • Graphic Design
  • Project Time
  • Sandbox Time
  • Hyperdocs
  • iPad Tools
  • Reflections
  • MERIT Journey Showcase
  • Graduation!

MERIT Background:

Launched in 2002 by the Krause Center for Innovation, the MERIT (Making Education Relevant and Interactive through Technology) program has led professional learning for educators with a curriculum that melds advanced teaching methodologies and technology. With over 800 graduates, MERIT continually adapts to the evolving demands of education and technology. Its approach combines intensive training with ongoing support, fostering a strong community of educators dedicated to collaborative growth. MERIT’s focus on improving teaching practices and student outcomes has established it as a cornerstone of educational innovation, empowering educators to enact transformative changes in their classrooms and beyond.

Program Instructors

  • Sarah Williams
    Sarah Williams
    MTSS Teacher on Special Assignment
    Sarah Williams is the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Teacher on Special Assignment at Union School District in San Jose, California. Her role is to support MTSS and PBIS implementation throughout the district. She is also a Santa Cruz/Silicon Valley New Teacher Project induction mentor for the district. She believes school should be an inclusive…
  • Kas Pereira
    Kas Pereira
    Teacher in Residence at the Krause Center for Innovation
    Kas is the current Teacher in Residence at the KCI. She is in charge of curriculum development, course management, and instruction. She is also the Director of the KCI’s Makerspace and Makerspace programs.

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